Question:
How much energy do you have eating so little

Hi all! This is my question. I know everyone recovers differently after the surgery. I know some people feel good a few weeks out and some feel good a few months out. This is my question. Once you are feeling better or are healed from the surgery, how is your energy level? I mean how does you body feel getting so little food. Does it take a while for your body to adjust? Do you feel weak? I am hopefully going to have open rny. Still have the sleep study and psych eval. I am pretty much imobile at this point and I am looking forward to surgery to start living again. I know we will be eating a lot of protien and hardly any carbs, but still how does your body feel going through this change and how long did it take you to feel like you have energy after surgery and once your body adjusts. Thanks in advance!    — Female C. (posted on August 10, 2002)

August 10, 2002

   — C. G.

August 10, 2002
Although we have a longer clear liquid period than most, they start us on high quality protein supplement within the first week. Weakness is not an issue. In fact, I felt better than pre-op during that period.
   — vitalady

August 10, 2002
I am 3 months out and for the past few weeks, I finally feel pretty good.....I have been on the weak side, I didn't feel bad or anything....just on the weak side. Excerise, water, protein and my B-12 shots really help.
   — Sharon H.

August 11, 2002
I had my surgery on 12/12. (LAP) in 6 days I was Christmas shopping! I was a little tired in the afternoon, so I'd just take a 1 hour nap. The proetien helps.
   — Cindee A.

August 11, 2002
In the first three weeks of my recovery (open Rny, 6/27) I diddn't have a lot of energy, but I'd say it was only slightly less than I had before surgery. and everything was improving, even getting up off the couch~! I went out on the Friday night that was two weeks after my surgery. It was a quiet evening, but I was out from 9pm until 1am.. and I was exhausted. I am over 6 weeks out now and I have to say my energy is amazing despite the fact that I don't get many calories. I'm trying to get them up a little as I'm often under 500. My energy is amazing though. I think at about the end of three weeks I really had the energy to do MORE in a day than I did before surgery. I was able to cook up a number of meals, clean a little and do laundry. I think that my energy levels were also impacted by the great attitude I had. Believe you will continue to feel better and I know that will help. Good luck! You'll be so happy you did it, I promise!
   — Lisa C.

August 11, 2002
First of all, as many on here know, I don't go for the "hardly any carbs". My doctor does not tell us to founder on them, but he does want us to use them as our primary energy source .As a nursing student, I certainly agree. As for your question. I feel better eating less, because frankly, I was eating enough pre-op for 4 people. I felt so weak and miserable from eating too much. You need to get in a set amount of each protein (first), carbs, veggies, and fruit daily. Your dietician can sit down with you and customize a plan for your body and goals. Also, you have to get in your water for energy and metabolism. You need your Iron to form Hemoglobin which carries oxygen to your cells and plays a vital role in how Vitamin A is used. You need Calcium to not only keep your bones strong, but to keep your heart's conduction system working properly. Protein is needed for the immune system, water balance in the body, blood clotting factors, connective tissue, and keratin formation for our skin and hair. Last, but not least, there is B12 which among many things is vital to ALL the body cells and the metabolism of carbs. By keeping the proper levels of all of these vital nutrients,eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising, there is no reason why one can't lose weight and have lots of energy. I hope this answered your question. Best of Luck to you!
   — Tina B.

August 11, 2002
I felt a lack of energy for the first several weeks. It was around 6 weeks or so before I felt energetic again. Everyone recovers at their own pace, however, keep in mind that it is major surgery and your body needs time to heal. When I started on solid food-it seemed to get better at that point. also, I keptup the walking, even when I didn't feel like it.
   — Cindy R.

August 11, 2002
I am three months post op. I have a lot more energy than I did before the surgery. I am down 75 pounds and I feel great. I spent the past two weeks on vacation swimming, biking, kayaking, and hiking.
   — Linda A.